Title:
Cattle Industry Brings 'Boots on the Bay' at Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2013) – More than 5,000 cattlemen and women are registered to attend the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show, which kicked off today at the Tampa Convention Center. The convention is the largest annual gathering of the beef industry and runs through Feb. 9.

The Opening General Session on Feb. 6 officially started the convention and featured a keynote address from Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. Their lives were first chronicled in the bestselling book, “The Blind Side” and then went on to become a Hollywood blockbuster film. “The Blind Side” tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager turned first round draft pick NFL football player, with the support and love of an unlikely adoptive family, the Tuohys. Oher now plays for Super Bowl XLVII champions the Baltimore Ravens. During their speech this afternoon, the Tuohys shared their message of love, hope and the power of cheerful giving.

Tomorrow morning, cattlemen and women will hear from Stuart Varney during General Session II. Varney, the host of “Varney & Company” on FOX Business Channel, is a veteran business and financial journalist. He will offer a positive take on the current economic situation and describes, with up-to-the-minute detail, what it means for you, your family and your business.

This year’s convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, meet with their fellow cattlemen and women, and enjoy Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a night full of lively pirates, sounds from the Caribbean Chillers and plenty of local eats. The convention will close with the Cattlemen’s Beach Bash featuring the Beach Boys. NCBA President and Nebraska rancher J.D. Alexander said the convention is a must for all cattlemen and women.

“We’re here in Tampa to highlight some of the successes of the cattle industry in the past year while also setting goals and priorities for what lies ahead,” said Alexander. “Convention attendees will be able to share valuable insights, help shape the future of the cattle industry, learn how to sustain and improve their operations and also enjoy warm Florida weather.”

After learning about the latest trends and technologies in the industry and attending the NCBA Trade Show, convention goers will have the opportunity to attend committee meetings and take part in NCBA’s grassroots policy process.

“The grassroots policy process is the backbone and the strength of NCBA. Cattlemen come together to discuss policy priorities and then chart the course forward for the organization,” said Alexander. “From cattle health and the environment, to marketing and tax policy issues, there will be many critical issues addressed this week.”

With so many events taking place during the convention all attendees are encouraged to download the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention app to their smart phones to see the schedule of events, locations, maps and receive alerts before, during and after the event. Visit www.beefusa.org for more information about the convention, and follow NCBA on Facebook and Twitter.